Bread Of Life Series

Bread of Life

Today a sermon on communion - homily - be seen with the last 2 stories.

Read John 6:25-27 JN 6:25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, "Rabbi, when did you get here?"

26 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. On him God the Father has placed his seal of approval."

How when did you get here? Why were people looking for Jesus? Looking for me or for dinner? As a Santa Claus - for selfish reasons.

What do people want? LIFE

Life is more than eating, sleeping, working and making love - it is being loved, loving others. How can we get a grip on this?

Two ways to go at life

1 way leads to death,

1 way leads to true life, eternal life

Two kinds of food

Food that spoils, food that lasts

Food that satisfies, food that doesn't

Read John 6:28-34

28 Then they asked him, "What must we do to do the works God requires?"

29 Jesus answered, "The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent."

30 So they asked him, "What miraculous sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our forefathers ate the manna in the desert; as it is written: `He gave them bread from heaven to eat.' "

32 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

34 "Sir," they said, "from now on give us this bread." (remember woman at well)

What Works? - only believe

One time for all time - walk the aisle, say the prayer?

Belief that grows with time

People say - we're not convinced, we're not buying it do a miracle, fix us dinner, child psychology - pit Jesus against Moses. Crowd tries to get Jesus back into their game plan. (you can't tickle me!)

Compare Manna to Jesus

Manna - white like fallen snow - Jesus pure spotless

Manna accessible, walk outside camp, its everywhere - pick it up or tramp on it. Bread gives life - staff of life - Bethlehem - house of bread

Manna, now let's get the story straight - it was God not Moses who supplied your three squares.

Father GIVES bread, present tense

Jesus begins to preach figuratively - most don't get it

Limits to literal imagination (from Pat W. e-mail)

The new Supermarket near our house has an automatic water mister to keep the produce fresh.

Just before it goes on, you hear the sound of distant thunder and the smell of fresh rain.

When you approach the milk cases, you hear cows mooing and smell the scent of fresh hay.

When you approach the egg case, you hear hens cluck and cackle and the air is filled with the pleasing aroma of bacon and eggs frying. The veggie department features the smell of fresh buttered corn. I don't buy toilet paper there any more.

Read John 6:35-40

35 Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."

God is the giver of bread - I AM the bread

Jesus is clear - Belief gets you IN - I reject no one

If you have a 100% chance of being successful, admitted, why not enter in?

When you offer the chance of "whoever believes" you will have problems. Christians make a business out of sorting out who's in and who's out - not too different from Jews.